Wakehurst

I needed to get outdoors today, so I headed over to Wakehurst Place this afternoon. Being outdoors and in nature are good healers for me. With all the emotions and stress of the past few days, I’d usually go for a long ride on Buddy. That’s not an option at the moment. So this was the next best thing.

Wakehurst Place is part of Kew Gardens and the National Trust. My Mum was a lifetime National Trust member, so I borrowed her card. We used to go there together. But I haven’t been for many years.

I walked round the gardens. Then found a bench to sit and reflect. The bench was dedicated with a line from a Wordsworth poem ‘To stay the wanderer’s steps and soothe his thoughts.’ Seemed rather fitting.

I had a chat with a magpie as you do. Before walking up to the highest point. As I sat looking out across the treetops, I couldn’t stop the tears from coming. Luckily there was no-one around.

On my way out, I noticed a plant I recognised. It was a Veronica. My Mum’s favourite. Can’t imagine why?! Guess I’ll be getting one for the garden.

Bonuses

Check out my stunning amaryllis. It’s got a bonus baby too, so I will have more stunning flowers. My amaryllis from last year is getting ready to bloom too. What a wonderful sight. And a wonderful Christmas present. For the past few years, my friend Jan has given me one. They seem to love this sunny spot.

Wish I could say the same about all of my plants. I was woken up by a loud thud this morning. It seemed one of the kittens had knocked a plant over in the conservatory. There was soil all over the place, in their bowl and on the mats.

So out came the hoover. And off went the kittens. Glaring at me through the doors in the rain.

As the hoover was out, I did the rest of the house. Then washed their bowls. Before feeding them (and me). All before coffee. An interesting way to start the day.

Cheese plant

I bought a plant today! And it’s made me so happy already. It’s one of my more random purchases, so bear with…

This morning I met up for coffee with a lady I connected with in 2020. We were part of an online networking group. Today was the first time we met in person! Boy was it worth the wait. We talked for 3.5 hours about life, covid, business and so much more. It was just wonderful.

We met at a cafe / plant shop. A rather glorious mix. As we chatted, I spotted this cheese plant. It took me back to my childhood. We had a monster of one in our hallway for many years. It then outgrew our house and was gifted to the office I worked in. It eventually ended up with one of the employees. I guess it was adopted by her.

I had to buy it. It’s a homage to my 70s childhood and my parents. It made me laugh all the way home as I drove along with it sitting proudly on my passenger seat. I’ve named him ‘Wallace’. He’s settling in well.

Tickled pink

So pink seems to be a bit of a theme this week. First my gorgeous pink camellia exploded. Then my eye decided to join in with another burst blood vessel. Finally this stunner at my chiropractor’s this morning.

It made me smile. Which is more than the weather has. Talk about another random day!

Cleavers

It was bathtime for Buddy today. It’s been so hot, I thought it would be a nice change for him.

Took him for a graze while he dried off. He found a pile of cleavers (or the sticky plant to you and me). He went mad for them.

We were talking about them last week at camp. That’s when I found out they were called cleavers. Love a new fact!